CFPA Winter Festival 2025

CFPA Winter Festival 2025

The Center for Performing Arts (CFPA) invites you to warm up your winter weekends with the vibrant energy of the Winter Festival! Held over four Sundays from January 19 through February 9, 2025, this free festival takes place at CFPA, located at 3754 Pleasant Ave in Minneapolis, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM CST each evening.

The Winter Festival celebrates the legacy of Minneapolis’ 38th Street Cultural District, a historically African American neighborhood. This unique event brings together the community for an unforgettable experience, featuring live performances, wellness circles, and local vendors offering food and crafts. Community members will have the chance to connect, relax, and explore the thriving local arts scene, right in the heart of Minneapolis.

Each Sunday promises to be filled with exciting performances by a lineup of Minnesota’s most dynamic emerging artists:

January 19, 2024

• Afoutayi Haitian Dance, Music & Arts Co: This celebrated organization is Minnesota’s leading promoter of Haitian culture and Afro-Caribbean heritage. Founded by Djenane Saint Juste, Afoutayi brings the richness of Haitian dance, music, and arts to life through engaging performances and educational workshops.
• Anthony Afful: A classically trained clarinetist, Anthony brings a unique mix of Central European, jazz, and contemporary styles. With his deep musical knowledge, he connects audiences to the beauty and breadth of classical music.

January 26, 2024

• Blackout Improv: The Twin Cities’ first all-Black improv troupe, Blackout Improv infuses humor with critical social insights. Their high-energy, interactive performances create space for dialogue on important topics in the Black community.
• Gregory Parks: Clown phenom Gregory Parks attended the NY Goofs program in NYC in 1999, and performed with the Ringling Blue Unit, Feld produced Winnie The Pooh Live show, Neal Skoy at Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI and at Kinoshita Circus in Japan clowning alongside Kelly Van Cleave and Jessi Hoffschildt.

February 2, 2024

• Kashimana: A versatile musician, vocalist, and composer, Kashimana draws on her Nigerian heritage to create a soulful blend of R&B, Afro-funk, and folk. Her powerful performances, often inspired by her experiences across three continents, reflect her artistry and heart.
• ShaVunda Brown: A celebrated spoken word artist, hip-hop artist, and actress, ShaVunda uses her voice to amplify stories of empowerment and liberation. Known for her work on racial justice and African diasporic spirituality, her performances weave folklore, myth, and deep social insight.

February 9, 2024

• Carolyne Naomi: A singer-songwriter and guitarist from Lagos, Nigeria, Carolyne’s style is a fusion of R&B, soul, gospel, and Afrobeat. Her music is both joyful and evocative, resonating with audiences worldwide.
• DiaToti: Known for her vibrant performances, DiaToti sings in multiple African languages, connecting audiences to the pulse of African culture through her unique blend of Congolese rhythms and heartfelt storytelling.

Wellness Specialists:

• Drake Powe: Drake Powe is a stress-reduction and de-escalation trainer, public speaker, and transformation coach. He supports others in identifying and developing a stress reduction practice centered on self-kindness. By creating the ability to focus on subtlety in the midst of intensity, we find our authenticity.
• Shontel Booker: Shontel Booker, a proud native of St. Paul, stands at the helm of the Dream in Color Healing Yoga Studio, where she brings together her roles as a certified yoga teacher, Reiki 1 practitioner, and Spiritual Life Coach. With a vibrant spirit and a heart deeply rooted in community, Shontel has dedicated many years to working alongside youth of all ages.

Don’t miss this chance to experience Minneapolis’ creative community at its finest. The Winter Festival welcomes everyone to share in the artistry, community spirit, and cultural heritage that make the 38th Street Cultural District a beacon of history and innovation.

ADA Accessiblity & Parking Available. For all inquiries please call (612) 821-9202 or email [email protected].

This Cultural Districts Art Fund program activity is funded, in part, by the Arts & Cultural Affairs Department in the City of Minneapolis.

Host or Publisher Center For Performing Arts